Recovering After Your Surgery
If you and your doctor decide that surgery is necessary, you’ll need to learn what to expect from the procedure and create a treatment plan for the best possible results in recovery.
Understanding the recovery process and your role in it will help you recover quickly and reduce the risk of complications.
Here is your checklist of tips and advice to follow after surgery is complete:
- Have a family member or friend drive you home; you will not be able to drive for at least 24 hours after surgery.
- Do not eat or drink anything on the car ride home. The combination of anesthesia, food, and car motion can cause nausea or vomiting.
- After arriving home, wait until you are hungry to eat. Begin with a light meal and avoid greasy food for 24 hours.
- Take your pain medicine as directed. Begin the pain medicine when you start getting uncomfortable, but before you’re in severe pain. If you wait until the pain is severe to take your pain medication, you’ll have more difficulty controlling the pain.